Physiological and Psychological Effects of Testosterone During Severe Energy Deficit and Recovery

Exclusion Criteria

• •Musculoskeletal injuries that compromise exercise capability
• •Diagnosed cardiometabolic disorders (i.e., hypertension, hyperlipidemia, kidney disease, diabetes, etc.)
• •Allergies or intolerance to foods, vegetarian practices, or history of complications with lidocaine
• •Anabolic steroid, human growth hormone, or nutritional testosterone precursor-like supplement use within the past 6 months
• •Will not refrain from smoking (any nicotine product), alcohol, caffeine, or any other dietary supplement during the study
• •Any use of antibiotics, except topical antibiotics, within 3 months of study participation
• •Colonoscopy within 3 months of study participation
• •Chronic use of laxatives, stool softeners, antacids, or anti-diarrheal medications (≥ once a week)
• •History of gastrointestinal disease (e.g., celiac, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, Crohn's disease)
• •Restrained eater (the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire) as assessed by the study's psychological and behavioral assessment staff
• •Adults unable to consent
• •Women
• •Prisoners
• •Metal implants, claustrophobia, head size incompatible with MRI equipment, etc.
• •Sedentary or engages in \<2 days of physical activity per week (aerobic and/or resistance training)
• •Exceeds age-specific U.S. Army body composition standards according to Army Regulation 600-9
• •Previous history of kidney stones unless otherwise approved by the medical investigator
• •Systolic blood pressure \> 150 or diastolic blood pressure \> 95 mmHg
• •Previous history of breast or prostate cancer
• •Previous history of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• •Findings of lab results of prostate-specific antigen \> 3ng/ml, Hematocrit \> 50%, or positive urine drug screening
• •Based on the investigative team's clinical judgment, a subject may not be appropriate for participation in the study